In this world, you have 30 years. Now I know it sounds harsh, but unlike the real world, you can buy time.This world is about time and money, you need both to survive. Deals, business, work, no stopping. Ever. You have one shot. You could be the healthiest person in the world, bu if you only have two days left, you only have two days left. It's amazing society hasn't crumbled, yet. It's on the brink of failure.
Great, just great. I have 20 days left and I only have two dollars. Thanks to my medical condition, my time is faster than everyone elses. Screw that. I have twenty secrets I need to tell. Twenty days, twenty secrets. Well, i'm screwed.
First one's to my mother. She's only a few blocks away, i'll walk. I need to plan this secret thing. The most dangerous one, i'll share on my last day on earth. I need to grab Pluto, my dog. Hopefully mother can take care of him. I'm going to miss this little guy.
I'm here, I can't bring it upon myself to knock on the door. Pluto does for me. I'm going to miss the house's crumbly red brick walls and the sweet smell of pastries. She is approaching the door.
"Hi sweety! How's my favorite little boy?" she said.
"Mom, I'm 40 now. I'm not your little boy anymore." I said.
"Do you need anything? I'm tight for cash but I can spare a dollar. How much time do you have left? Is your condition under control?" she said nervously.
"I have twenty full days left and twenty secrets to tell. I thought I'd stop here first. I only have two dollars and I can't afford Pluto. I have one secret for you. Promise me, don't tell anyone." I explained. A tear rolled down my face.
"Sweety, there must be something I can do." she said. She was on the verge of crying.
"No, mom. I'm tried of living a life of disease and time. I can't hold a job for more than a month, my house is falling apart at the seams, I just can't do it anymore. Don't try to help, please. It's my time to go." I tried to explain in a strong voice.
"Well, ok. I love you. What's the secret? she said. Crying.
"It's not a real secret. I just wanted to say to you and to Pluto, I love you. I'll miss you and you'll be in my heart, forever and always." I said, crying.
"I dont have words for that. Darling, i'm going to miss you for as long as I live. Would you like some tea and cookies before you go? For old times sake?" she asked hopeful.
"Yes, mom I would love that." I said and walked into the house with the crumbly red bricks that smelled of pastries.
We talked for a couple of hours, not of anything specific but just to talk. To live with the woman who raised me single-handedly for the first 18 years of my life. To say goodbye to my childhood pet and to the house that I had come to know. To re-live my childhood for a few brief hours, even if I knew it was going to end.
"Well, I better get going. I have to cross two towns on foot by tomorrow afternoon. Bye mother, I will always miss you, Forever and always." I said, my voice trembling.
"Forever and always my son" she said and cried and the same time.
With that, I walked off into the sunset, alone. One down, nineteen to go. This is going to be the longest twenty days of my life.
